Book Review- Getting Started Knitting Socks

Handmade socks are so good because they are not only unique and one-of-a-kind, but they are also made with care and attention to detail. When you knit your own socks, you have the ability to choose the yarn and the colors that you want, making the socks personal and special. Additionally, handmade socks are often made with higher-quality materials than store-bought socks, making them more durable and comfortable to wear.

Do you need to block your handmade socks? If so how?
Blocking is not strictly necessary for handmade socks, but it can be beneficial in some cases. Blocking can help even out the stitches, reshape the sock to its intended shape, and even out the tension in the yarn.

If you choose to block your handmade socks, you can do so by steaming or wet blocking. To steam block, hold the sock over a steaming kettle or a pot of simmering water, and use a pressing cloth to press the steam into the fibers of the sock. To wet block, immerse the sock in lukewarm water and gently squeeze out the excess water, then lay the sock flat on a blocking surface, such as a towel, and reshape it to the desired size and shape. Leave the sock to dry completely before moving it.

It’s important to note that some yarns may not respond well to blocking, such as superwash wool, synthetic fibers, and yarns with a lot of nylon or acrylic. It’s always a good idea to check the care instructions for the yarn you are using before blocking your handmade socks.

In “Getting Started Knitting Socks,” the book offers clear and detailed instructions for first-time sock makers, including helpful photographs and instructional drawings to ensure that even inexperienced knitters will be able to produce high-quality socks. The book provides instructions for five different sizes from child to adult large, and five different gauges, allowing knitters to produce styles ranging from delicate dress socks to thick and furry slipper socks. Furthermore, with 16 unique designs and dozens of rib, cable, and lace patterns provided, knitters can add variety and flair to their socks. The book also includes plenty of tips and a handy stitch dictionary to unleash the creativity and fun of sock knitting.

Next Pattern:

Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

Next Pattern:

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